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While my true love may be chocolate, my second love is working out (fortunately). Luckily for me my favorite things have a tendency to balance themselves out, though ultimately I’d say working out benefits me more then chocolate harms me. That’s not to say chocolate is bad for your because it definitely isn’t, but as we all know too much isn’t good for you. Just to clarify – we love chocolate here and always will. If you’re wondering where this is going you can stop now, because ultimately I want to talk about working out and a new product I’ve been trying called Clear Muscle. Besides chocolate I love giving out good tips..

I’ve tried many different products over the years to help my workouts, specifically for strength training, but none have worked as well as Clear muscle has. If you’re into strength training I HIGHLY recommend you give this product a look, especially if you’re struggling to pack on muscle/mass like you want to. I don’t recommend a lot of products, in fact I do the opposite generally, disagreeing with a lot of the claims products out there make, so that means a lot for this one. Besides my personal recommendation, they even have clinical trials on this product showing it’s effectiveness (why I tried it to begin with) – something rarely done for a supplement. The biggest things I noticed from it are the increases in strength and my ability to work out more frequently (may be why I gained strength faster) – muscle soreness from a hard workout simply doesn’t exist. It may not be the best idea to push to hard, but you’ll definitely find that you’re able to push yourself harder then you imagined.

While generally pretty off topic for this blog I just wanted to get it out there and help this post helps someone!

I may be unique, but I think chocolate and coffee are the perfect combination. If you haven’t yet tried this magical combination I highly suggest you do! There are a ton of ways to mix coffee and chocolate but a simple one to do is to just add chocolate syrup to your cup of joe. If you don’t have any syrup, you can always try some form of cocoa powder. I’d start light and slowly work your way up as you really don’t need much chocolate to enhance the flavor of your coffee. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can try putting the cocoa right in with the coffee bean grinds while the coffee is brewing. Thinking about it more, this is probably the best way to go though I’ve yet to try it.

As for the type of chocolate to use, milk chocolate would probably do it for most (especially considering most of us already put cream or milk in) but for me dark chocolate is where it’s at. The flavor is just better though takes some getting used to. Dark chocolate is also quite a bit healthier for you, so that’s a nice added bonus. I think this two go together well because of how comparable they are from the ground up – chocolate beans and coffee beans come from comparable parts of the plant.

If you don’t already own one, I’d suggest getting a Keurig brewer – perhaps something like the K65. Coffee isn’t hard to make, but it becomes a lot easier with one of these machines. They’re not the cheapest so I suggest looking for a Keurig promo code first. Ultimately the K65 is going to probably be your best value if you want to go the single serve route. If you’re one of the few coffee drinkers in your house the idea of a Keurig really starts to make a lot more sense. As an added bonus these machines can do hot chocolate and teas as well – any hot beverage really.

We hope you decide to give coffee and chocolate a try soon and that you’ll enjoy it as much as we do!

Having been around deserts and chocolate for a long time now, I’ve come across a lot of people that it wouldn’t hurt them to lose a few pounds if you know what I mean. Most of them are aware, looking for that magical pill or method that will take care of the problem. Nothing new here. So what’s prompted me to write a post about it? I’ll tell you in one word: Redotex.

I’ve heard a LOT of peoples weight loss solutions over the years – most just sound like a waste of money. When I looked up Redotex, I couldn’t believe anyone would even think about trying a product like this! To start, it’s not even legal in the US – fortunately the FDA banned it some time ago. That should be an immediate warning sign. Currently it’s only sold as a prescription drug in Mexico, but it appears you can still buy it online from some shady looking sources. Take a quick look at the ingredients and it only gets worse: Antidepressants, Laxatives, Stimulants & more. There’s so much crap in it, who knows what it’ll do. I think the problem is that it does yield results – how could it not? The risk however is massive. Ok I suppose that’s enough ranting – I really just wanted to make a point to stress to people to really research something before consuming it – just like the saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Concluding point: If you’re concerned about weight but still want to indulge, no problem – just remember moderation and proper exercise are the solution.

If you’re a fan of chocolate you how easy it can be to “over” indulge. While chocolate certainly has many health benefits, most of those come from eating it in moderation. The down side to chocolate is that it’s generally high in fat and sugar – making it easy to pack on a couple of extra pounds. Fortunately for us though, one doesn’t necessarily have to cut back on their chocolate consumption (although you probably should) to keep the weight off. There are now many different weight loss supplements available to aid you in the process of losing weight or simply just keeping it off. One of the most popular, and likely one of the strongest, is a product called Synedrex. This supplement is most effective at increase your metabolism and energy level, while providing a overall sense of focus and clarity. Synedrex also works by suppressing your appetite. The general rule it to burn more calories then you intake, so if you’re consuming less and burning more, you can see what makes this product effective. The only caution I’d warn is for those sensitive to stimulants – products like Synedrex are packed full of stims, so for some they can make your uneasy and anxious. If you’re going to try this product be sure to take it early and avoid any other forms of stimulants. Fortunately, there’s not a ton of caffeine in chocolate! If you’re sensitive to stimulants a good product without the stims is Phenolox. It’s made by the same company and is also very effective, just without the stimulants. Instead Phenolox uses B vitamins.

A catering buffet is never complete without delicious desserts, including chocolates and truffles. Truffles and chocolates are smooth and velvety treats that come in a wide range of flavors. You can amaze your guests with an elegantly displayed table containing their favorite chocolates and truffles. Whether you’re concerned about table skirting, linens or bouquets on the table, it is important to be flexible and creative. You need to try different options for displaying a wide range of confectionery treats.

Fresh Linens

It is very important to consider the color of chocolates and truffles while choosing buffet linens and table skirting clips. You need to choose colors that complement the color of chocolates, and entice your guests with the deliciousness of these dessert choices.

When it comes to table linens, the most popular choices include polyester, vinyl and cotton. You need to choose something that can be easily washed. However, it should look elegant. Black linens can prove to be a good choice. On dark colors, food stains are not easily visible.

Buffet Organization

As a general rule, the dessert table needs to be at the end of your buffet. When your guests arrive at the table, you need to focus on the amazement factor. The food and chocolate displays at the event should be exceptional works of art. They should be able to represent the tastes people are going to enjoy.

When it comes to chocolate displays, luxury and elegance are always the key. Since dessert tends to be the last course, you need to be sure that the guests leave the event ahing’ and oohing’ over the chocolates and truffles.

Levels

Display stands can be easily used to create different levels on the table. This leads to more visual variety. You should try to create about four different levels, and stagger them from the front to back on your table.

Table skirting should also be used wisely. This will help you create a stair step visual. You will also be able to create random levels to add more interest. In case you don’t have access to the display stands, you can use different sized boxes. This can help you create different levels. You should cover them with tablecloths.

Keep It Clean and Organized

It’s very important to keep your dessert table clean and organized. A common mistake most people make is to overload the display with a lot of chocolates, decor and levels. It’s always better to keep things simple. You need to understand that subtlety will be your key to success. If you aren’t careful, it can be easily to cross the line from being classy and elegant to cheesy and cheap. In order to keep things organized, you can also use table skirting clips.

Last but not the least, you can use a wide range of materials to accentuate the buffet. Some good choices include flowers, balloons, small figurines, ribbons and more. Candle can also be an excellent choice. You should put labels on different containers of chocolates to let your guests know what they’re choosing.

Does everyone call you a chocoholic? Well, scientific studies have proved that your little addiction can actually save your life. A recent study has reported that consuming good amount of chocolate on regular basis can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 37% and strokes by 29%.

Even though experts often advise to eat chocolates in moderation due to high calorie content, it’s hard to deny that chocolates can be a healthy addition to your daily diet. Hundreds of studies have already proved that dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants that prevent cardiovascular conditions and promote heart health. In this article, we’ll share some common benefits of chocolate that will definitely have you grab that bar in the refrigerator as soon as you are done with reading.

1. It Can Help You Improve Math Skills

Flavonoids, a compound found in chocolate are rich source of antioxidants. Flavonoids are known to improve blood circulation to the brain. A study conducted in 2009 asked group of participants to count backward from a number between 700 and 899. After drinking a cup of hot cocoa, the participants were able to do mental calculations more accurately and quickly without feeling tired.

2. It Fills You Up

Moms have had always warned about spoiling dinner by eating tempting treats beforehand. Guess, they were right! In recent study, Danish researchers gave 100 g of chocolates to 16 participants, followed by a slice of pizza after a gap of 2 hours. Those who consumed dark chocolate ate about 15% fewer calories than the one who did not have any chocolate. In short, people who are chocolate were less interested to eat more.

3. It Can Make You Feel Better

Chocolates contain phenethylamine – a compound that triggers the production of endorphins. This creates same reaction as the one that people experience when they feel loved or fall in love. Doctors in England at the Mind Lab asked eight couples to eat one square of dark chocolate before kissing each other. All the couples were hooked up to heart and brain monitors. In the result, it was seen that both tasks made participants’ brains buzz and hearts pound, but chocolate doubled the rate of excitation in the brain’s pleasure center, especially in women. Cocoa’s blend of caffeine and sugar produces long-lasting high.

4. It Can Help You Relax

Why not reach for a temptation when feeling stressed? There’s a biological reason attached to the fact that chocolates are a great stress busters. Studies have shown that chocolates contain a compound – Anandamide. This compound activates the brain receptors that are responsible for stress.

5. It Can Help You Live Longer

A study conducted in the British Medical Journal reported that chocolate consumption can help you live longer by almost a full year! Participants who liked indulging in chocolate andy one to three times a month had low mortality rate than the ones that refrain from eating sweet stuff at all. This is due to high antioxidant properties. A study in 2009 also found that heart attack patients who ate chocolate were less likely to die from strokes than those who went without it. It is beneficial to stick to an ounce serving to get the fix without affecting your waistline.

Almost every person loves the sweet, delicious taste of chocolate. While eating chocolates is convenient, it is even possible to cook with chocolate. Most people don’t have any idea about some delicious recipes that can be easily prepared with chocolates.

If you have been planning to cook with chocolate, buying chef coats or chef uniforms will be important. Melting chocolate can make your clothes dirty, and it may be hard to get rid off the stains. Besides this, there are also some other important factors to consider. Here is an overview of some important ones.

Selection
It is important to purchase chocolate from a good source. The seller should have a good turnover. This makes sure the chocolate you’re buying hasn’t been stored improperly or too long. In order to choose the best type of chocolate, you should sample some varieties.

These days, you can choose from many different options. Your choice will mostly depend on your taste. If you don’t like any brands in the sampling stage, you shouldn’t use them for cooking. It’s worth mentioning that the basic taste won’t change in your recipe.

Storage
Prior to cooking, chocolate should be tightly wrapped in a dry, cool place. It should be able away from possible temperature changes and strong odors. You should never store chocolates in the freezer or refrigerator. In these places, it can easily collect moisture. This can affect the taste of the chocolate.

Melting
Before cooking, you will have to melt the chocolate. In order to evenly melt the chocolate, you should chop it into equal sized, small pieces. Warm these pieces over simmering water. This should be done in a double boiler. You can even use a microwave safe bowl to melt the chocolate at the lowest power setting for 30 seconds. Between each burst, you should stir the molten chocolate properly.

It’s important to understand that even a single drop of water in chocolate can turn it into a major gloppy mess. Therefore, when you’re melting chocolate, you should keep all the utensils and bowls completely dry. This will allow you to melt the chocolate without experiencing any problems.

Quality Control
It’s quite obvious that you need to use high quality chocolate. It will not only prevent any health problems, but also make the recipe more delicious. When it comes to the quality control for chocolates, most people feel confused.

High quality chocolate always has an even looking appearance. Moreover, it has a sharp snap when you crumble it. Needless to say, it has a strong chocolaty aroma and velvety texture. The delicious aftertaste of chocolate lingers for more than 30 seconds. All these things should be considered while buying chocolates for cooking delicious recipes.

While using chocolate for cooking, it’s always better to buy high quality chef coats of chef uniforms. Coats and uniforms not only make you look professional, but even protect your clothes from stains. These days, you can easily buy chef coats and uniforms on the Internet. You just need to make sure you buy them from a reputed dealer. You should also look for discounts.